Historical and Cultural Roots of Europe - JMMZ146

• Title: Historical and Cultural Roots of Europe
• Guaranteed by: Department of European Studies (23-KZS)
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Actual: from 2012 to 2012
• Semester: winter
• E-Credits: 6
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:2/0, Ex [HT]
• Capacity: 20 / unknown (unknown)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: not taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: PhDr. Martin Jeřábek, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): PhDr. Martin Jeřábek, Ph.D.

Annotation

The main goal of this course is to familiarize the students with the cultural and historical background that eventually lead to the efforts for European integration. Its structure is twofold:
At the forefront of attention of the first thematic block are the major shifts and turnarounds in European history that saw not just epochal changes in understanding of the role of European states, geopolitical power positions, economic relations, and political thought, but also led to attempts to maintain peace and integrate Europe (great overseas discoveries, revolutions, wars and conflicts, economic crises). Motives for European integration are traced back to their very origins, including the earliest integration attempts of the Pan-European movement.
The second set of topics emphasizes the continuity and progress of the European society and culture and major forces that formed their development. Common tendencies and widespread ideologies (such as modernization, nationalism and totalitarianism) shared by Western, Eastern and Central Europe are traced back to their origins, analyzed and their significance for current affairs is assessed.
The ultimate aim of the course is to equip students with the analytical tools necessary for a more in-depth understanding and study of current topics on European integration.

Last update: JERABEKM (09.10.2011)

Literature

Basic Literature (Additional literature will be provided during the course)

Andelman, D. A.: A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today, New Jersey 2008.

Craig, Gordon C.: Europe since 1815, London 1986.

Gaddis, J. L.: The Cold War: A New History, London 2005.

Garton Ash, T.: In Europe's Name: Germany and the Divided Continent, London 1993.

Harvey, R.: The War of Wars: The Great European Conflict 1793-1815, New York 2006.

Katzenstein, P. J. (ed.): Mitteleuropa - between Europe and Germany, Oxford 1997.

Mosse, G. L.: The Culture of Western Europe: The Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, 3th ed., New York 1988.

Nicholls, A. J.: Weimar and the Rise of Hitler, 4th ed., Pagrave Macmillan 2000.

Taylor, A. J. P.: The Struggle for Mastery in Europe 1848-1918, Oxford 1954.

 

 

Last update: JERABEKM (09.10.2011)

Requirements to the exam

Course Requirements and Grading

Students are required to actively participate in classes (20% of the of the grade) and prepare one in-class oral presentation (15% of the grade) concerning the topic of the course. These presentations will stimulate short discussion about the topic at the end of each lecture. Full reading list and the list of presentation topics will be provided. Students are also oblidged to prepare a short handout (1-2 pages) of their presentation for their peers (15% of the grade). The content of the lectures, presentations and compulsory readings will be tested in final oral exam.

 

Last update: JERABEKM (09.10.2011)